Founder and Director of The Young Americans to Receive UC s Award for Excellence

Milton C. Anderson, founder and director of The Young Americans musical performance company, will be honored with the University of Cincinnati’s Award for Excellence during UC’s Commencement Ceremony at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 14, at Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. The honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the purposes and ideals of the university.

Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree from UC in music education in 1950. He taught math and music at Cincinnati’s Hughes High School from 1950-1955, before moving to California to earn his master’s degree in music composition from UCLA.

While working as a high school music teacher in Los Angeles, Anderson founded The Young Americans non-profit educational organization in 1962 to reflect a positive image of the nation’s youth through music and dance. During their travels throughout the world, The Young Americans have performed for presidents and kings. They’ve appeared on all major television networks and are featured on documentaries, as well as 12 albums/CDs. Over the years, more than 4,000 performers have toured with them. The Young Americans produce seven major tours each year, sending 40 of the 200 members on each tour to work as teachers. They teach in music workshops to more than 300 students in each community, to strengthen music in school curriculums throughout the nation and the world.

In addition to serving as music designer for television specials featuring The Young Americans, Anderson’s career in the 1950s and 1960s also included working as a music supervisor on CBS television. He worked on Studio One in Hollywood, Playhouse 90, Rawhide and the Twilight Zone.  He has worked with the most famous names in show business, including Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds.

Anderson is also founder of the California Pacific College of the Performing Arts and has authored books on music education and photography. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Canyon Lake, Calif.

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